South London thief with over 260 convictions is jailed

Sherene Small, 50, of Torridon Road in Hither Green, is described as a “truly prolific” offender who began committing crimes more than 30 years ago.  

Her drug addiction has seen her carry out countless thefts while she also has convictions for violence, mostly when she’s challenged been challenged by her victims.  

On Tuesday (October 1) Small appeared at Inner London Crown Court for sentencing after she admitted six counts of theft, one attempted theft, assaulting an emergency worker and possessing crack cocaine all committed between July 2023 and May 2024.  

They include thefts from Fat Face at Waterloo Station, Oliver Bonas at Victoria Station, JD Sports in Brixton and the theft of a shopper’s handbag on Regent Street.  

Judge Darren Reed said Small’s thefts followed a “depressing” modus operandi where she went into shops, “brazenly” stuffed items into a bag and left without paying.  

In total she stole over £1,200 worth of goods from shops as well as a handbag and contents worth over £1,500 from the shopper on Regent Street.  

In mitigation, the court heard that Small had been stuck in the “vicious circle” of homelessness and drug use. 

She has been remanded in prison while awaiting sentence and during that time has been regularly taken a methadone prescription. 

Small told Judge Reed: “I’m sorry and I will try to do my best and turn my life around.” 

Sherene Small (Image: BTP) Judge Reed sentenced her to 24 weeks in prison, meaning she will be released imminently due to the time she has served on remand. 

She was also made subject of a three-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) which bans her from certain areas of Brixton. 

Judge Reed told Small: “I hope you appreciate for one minute how much effort is going on in this court and elsewhere to find you accommodation. 

“You might ponder how a society will support a person who has been preying on that society as you have been. You should consider yourself fortunate to live in that society.”